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Ernst Mach
Ernst Mach was born February 18, 1838 in Moravia, Austrian Empire (now Czech Republic). He was homeschooled until the age of 14, earned a doctorate in physics at the University of Vienna, and was a professor of physics and math at multiple universities. He is known for establishing important principles of optics, mechanics, wave dynamics. He supported the view that all knowledge concepts are derived through observation. -
Mach's Bands
Mach discovered the physiological effect that the human eye will see bright or dark bands near the boundaries between areas of sharply differing illumination. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qJ_iKDO7rQ -
Mach's Principle
Albert Einstein was influenced by Mach's principle of inertia while he was focusing on his theories of relativity. Mach's inertia principle stated that, inertia applies on as a function of the interaction between one body and other bodies in the universe no matter the distance between them. Mach introduced this principle in his book "The Science of Mechanics" in 1883 -
Going Fast
Mach established the priciples of supersonics and the ratio of how fast an object is moving (velocity) compared to the velocity of sound. Sonic Boom! In the aircraft world, Mach 1 is when an aircraft breaks the speed of sound, Mach 2 is when an aircraft is going twice the speed of sound. The speed of sound is 761 MPH, or 1100 feet per second. -
Dates and MLA citations
Mach, Ernst. The Principles of Physical Optics an Historical and Philosophical Treatment. Dover Publications, 2013. Mach, Ernst. Space and Geometry in the Light of Physiological, Psychological and Physical Inquiry. Open Court Publ. Co, 1960. -
Summary
In my own words, you could say Mach was very interested in how the human body reacted with our natural surroundings. He used basic human functions like our eyesight and hearing to advance the scientific world and still has an impact on scientists to this day.